Smokey Stover
Banned
Yes i get what you are saying, but again it comes down to the manager being too scared to say no, im in charge and picking players on merit/performance and not just because everyone expects. I cant think of one single England manager in the last two decades that wasnt a yes man for the F.A. That's why the late great Brian Clough was never given the job. They knew they could never have controlled him. I have been watching and supporting England since the world cup of Mexico '86'. And from that time to today there has only been two managers that did a good job. Bobby Robson and Terry Venables. Every other manager has failed to motivate or/and get the best out of British talent. And the names i mentioned were just examples. Ferdinand, Neville, Cole, Owen, Heskey, Seaman, Cambell, Adams, Ince, Scholes, Mills, Dyer, Fowler, the list is endless. All supposedly good players in their prime and at club level. But bring on a major tournament and they are out of their depth. Trouble with past England squads has been lack of creativity and playmaking. When things dont go to plan England seem to fall apart. But lets see what happens now the pressure is off..The England team was picked by the press, playing Lampard Gerrard and Beckham made as much sense as playing 3 Beckenbauers for their clubs they were attacking, playmaking midfielders who took set pieces and corners.